Chapter 120: Does Liking Need a Reason?

"Qingqing, I've wronged you..."

Just as Xi Junle reached the door of the hospital room, he heard these words. A bitter, sour sensation welled up in his heart. Over the past few days, having been at the center of a media storm, he had been unable to visit Xianyu Qing. Having finally managed to sneak over under the cover of Nangong Lu, he had arrived only to witness Nangong Ao and Xianyu Qing pouring their hearts out to each other. Could that trending headline really have been true rather than just a rumor?

Cui Hao, standing beside him, saw Xi Junle standing silently at the door, looking as though he were caught between wanting to enter and wanting to leave. He didn't know whether he should knock to announce them. Just then, Ning Wenyan opened the door and stepped out. Seeing the masked and cap-wearing Xi Junle, she didn't recognize him at first and froze.

"Who are you?"

"Good day, Auntie. I've come to visit Qingqing," Xi Junle said politely.

Ning Wenyan recognized his voice, and her expression turned troubled. "Young Master Xi, why have you come..." Since Xi Junle last left the hospital, Xianyu Qing had been dragged into scandals, becoming fodder for gossip. Ning Wenyan was now wary of him; she had heard that some of his fans were quite fanatical, and she did not want Xianyu Qing to be burdened with trouble.

"Auntie, I..."

Before Xi Junle could finish, Nangong Ao stepped out from the room. Xi Junle nodded in greeting, but Nangong Ao said expressionlessly, "Let's talk outside."

Knowing what the other man wanted to say, Xi Junle requested, "May I have a few words with Qingqing first?"

"Five minutes." Nangong Ao turned and walked away immediately. Cui Hao glanced at his boss's face. Yes, it looked very grim.

Ning Wenyan had intended to send Xi Junle away, but since Nangong Ao had agreed, she could only invite him in. As soon as Xi Junle saw Xianyu Qing, he apologized: "Qingqing, I'm sorry. About last time... it was my oversight." He didn't have the heart to say that he had actually orchestrated that series of headlines on purpose, all to bind their names together. It was a selfish, impulsive act, and he regretted it deeply.

Xianyu Qing did not blame him. "Those groundless things will eventually be forgotten by people after some time."

Xi Junle felt that this sentence was even more painful to hear than if she had called him selfish. "Qingqing, you and Ziyu, you..." He wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't come out.

Xianyu Qing did not intend to keep it from him: "That was just a trending topic my great-aunt bought to suppress the public opinion."

"Really?" A glimmer of joy rose in Xi Junle's heart. But then, Xianyu Qing’s next sentence sent him plummeting back to the depths: "Young Master Xi, to prevent such rumors from appearing again, we should try to avoid meeting in private."

It wasn't realistic to avoid each other entirely—after all, they couldn't help but cross paths at banquets or balls—but that wasn't the result Xi Junle wanted. He had come today to confess his feelings, fearing that if he didn't, he might never have the chance again.

Ignoring Ning Wenyan’s presence, Xi Junle walked up to Xianyu Qing and said with deep emotion, "Qingqing, I... I like you!"

"..." Xianyu Qing was stunned. The last time someone had confessed to her, she must have been fourteen. How had she replied then? "My brother says I shouldn't date before I'm eighteen." Later, after her brother learned of it, he had a long, heart-to-heart talk with her, explaining what true affection was and instructing her on how to keep her distance from those aimless boys. Now that she was over eighteen and her brother was no longer by her side, this sudden confession left her at a loss for how to react.

After a moment of thought, Xianyu Qing asked, "What do you like about me?"

Xi Junle countered, "Does liking someone need a reason?"

Does it not? Very well.

"Then do you know what I like and what I dislike?"

Now it was Xi Junle's turn to be confused.

Xianyu Qing continued, "Do you know what I like to eat? Do you know what I enjoy doing? Do you know what kind of life I want to lead?"

The barrage of questions left Xi Junle speechless.

"You don't even understand me, so how can you say you like me?" Xianyu Qing asked, puzzled.

Xi Junle sighed helplessly: "That’s because you’ve always been avoiding me; I haven't had the chance to get to know you."

Xianyu Qing thought about it; that was true. She decided to just give him the answers: "I like eating desserts, especially when I'm in a bad mood or can't sleep at night. I like reading books, and I don't like being disturbed while I'm reading. I want to live a simple, free life. I don't like being constrained by a bunch of family rules where every move I make is subject to criticism!"

The first two were personal habits, which were fine. The latter was the real point. Xi Junle was not only a young master of the Xi family but also a public figure. If Xianyu Qing were with him, she would certainly have to abide by the rules of a wealthy clan and endure the scrutiny of the media. Perhaps this was the reason why she refused to accept him.

Seeing the desolate look on Xi Junle’s face, Ning Wenyan couldn't help but feel a bit of pity and tried to persuade him: "Young Master Xi, our Qingqing was originally just a girl from an ordinary family. Even though she has entered the Nangong family, she is still worlds apart from your Xi family. You are so outstanding; you should be matched with a socialite from a noble family, a true equal!"

Xi Junle: "..."

***

After Xi Junle left the hospital room, Cui Hao was waiting for him in the corridor. "Young Master Xi, the boss is waiting for you in his office."

Xi Junle followed Cui Hao to the office on the top floor. Nangong Ao was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to them. Cui Hao could feel the cold aura radiating from Nangong Ao, knowing his boss was displeased. After announcing them, he left.

"Ziyu..."

Xi Junle walked over, but the moment he spoke, Nangong Ao spun around and punched him. With a thud, Xi Junle fell to the floor. The punch landed on his jaw, and his handsome face was immediately bruised. Nangong Ao hadn't used his full strength, but Xi Junle was just an ordinary person; the blow left him dizzy, and he couldn't get up for a moment.

Nangong Ao stood over him, his face cold. "Junle, you know why you took that punch!"

Xi Junle wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and replied, "I know." He shouldn't have used the media to bring trouble to Xianyu Qing.

"Give up your thoughts, and never bother Qingqing again!" Nangong Ao warned him sternly.

After regaining his senses, Xi Junle slowly stood up. He looked at Nangong Ao, his eyes full of conflict: "Ziyu, I like Qingqing..."

"You like her?" Nangong Ao scoffed. "If you really liked her, would you use such tactics?"

Xi Junle defended himself: "I... I just wanted Qingqing to accept me!"

"Even if Qingqing accepted you, could your Xi family accept her?"

"My parents are also very fond of Qingqing, they..."

Nangong Ao interrupted him: "They still have to listen to your grandfather. Are you sure your grandfather would accept her?"

"..."

Before Xi Junle could come up with a reply, Nangong Ao added: "Even if your grandfather accepted her, your grandmother would never agree. Because, she and Qingqing’s family are sworn enemies!"